Audiogenic seizures: relation to age and mechanisms of monoamine neurotransmission

Mice with a genetically determined susceptibility to audiogenic seizures were utilized to analyze the ontogeny of central monoamine neurotransmission in relation to a behavior with age-specific properties. Levels of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were measured in forebrain and hindbrain regions at 14, 21, 28, and 42 days postnatal age in genetically sensitive or resistant strains of mice. An in vivo estimate of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase activity was obtained at the same ages by following the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) respectively, after the administration of a centrally effective L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor (R04-4602, 800 mg/kg). At 14 days, there was a faster rate of accumulation of DOPA in both the forebrain and hindbrain of the sensitive mice compared to mice of the nonsensitive strain. At 21 days, the age of maximal sensitivity in the sensitive mice, the levels of NA were significantly lower in both regions of the sensitive mice, but the accumulation of DOPA was similar between strains at this age. There was also a slightly lower level of 5-HT in the forebrain of sensitive mice at 21 days accompanied by a slower rate of accumulation of 5-HTP in this region. In the hindbrain of the sensitive animals however, the rate of accumulation of 5-HTP was faster than in the sensitive strain. At 28 days, some impairment in mechanisms within NA-containing neurons in the sensitive mice was still apparent (including lower NA levels). At 42 days, there were no differences in amine levels, however, the levels of accumulated DOPA and 5-HTP were significantly lower in the sensitive strain. The results suggest that in the sensitive mice, developmental differences in mechanisms of monoamine storage and/or synthesis may exist which could contribute to deficient amounts of physiologically releaseable transmitter.